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Topic starter
Looking to get a new hardtail frame some time in the next few months and want something more "downcountry" (sorry) and more suitable for getting the miles in than a trail frame. Currently on a Vitus Sentier which is short with a high stack and slack seat angle, it doesn't feel like an efficient pedalling position to me. Pipedream Sirius looks ideal but the S6 is pretty pricey at £799. So wondering what else is out there that I might have missed.
Currently the Nordest Britango 3 is looking good, even with VAT and the 4% import fees (I think I've got that correct!) it's still a fair chunk cheaper than the Sirius. Interested to see what else is out there for a fun and fast hardtail that can do a bit of trail centre when asked!
Posted : 11/02/2025 3:58 pm
As a Moxie owner, I'd honestly just buy the Sirius and keep it forever. That's certainly the plan with my Moxie anyway. Pipedream make excellent frames. More than the sum of their spec sheet IMO.
It's a bit of an outlay initially, but steel frames last and I can think of other good frames for the same or more money, but none I'd rather have for less.
Posted : 11/02/2025 4:46 pm
I found the Sirius head tube to be too short on larger frames.
I would go towards the Cotic given the choice.
Posted : 11/02/2025 4:56 pm
Topic starter
I found the Sirius head tube to be too short on larger frames.
I would go towards the Cotic given the choice.
I'm quite short at 5'8" so I'd either be going with the Longish or Long. I feel like I'd prefer the lower stack height, my current frame is 643 and seems very high and upright. I have short legs and the bars are higher than my saddle!
Posted : 11/02/2025 5:07 pm
Topic starter
I found the Sirius head tube to be too short on larger frames.
I would go towards the Cotic given the choice.
I'm quite short at 5'8" so I'd either be going with the Longish or Long. I feel like I'd prefer the lower stack height, my current frame is 643 and seems very high and upright. I have short legs and the bars are higher than my saddle!
Posted : 11/02/2025 5:10 pm
Topic starter
I found the Sirius head tube to be too short on larger frames.
I would go towards the Cotic given the choice.
My issue with Cotic is the super long chainstays, my current bike has 438mm and it's not particularly playful so I want to go shorter if anything. Otherwise the SolarisMax looks pretty good.
I don't think the lower stack/headtube on the Pipedream would be an issue for me, currently my bars are higher than my saddle which I don't find feels very efficient or makes me want to crack on when pedalling!
Posted : 11/02/2025 5:55 pm
Topic starter
I found the Sirius head tube to be too short on larger frames.
I would go towards the Cotic given the choice.
My issue with Cotic is the super long chainstays, my current bike has 438mm and it's not particularly playful so I want to go shorter if anything. Otherwise the SolarisMax looks pretty good.
I don't think the lower stack/headtube on the Pipedream would be an issue for me, currently my bars are higher than my saddle which I don't find feels very efficient or makes me want to crack on when pedalling!
Posted : 11/02/2025 5:56 pm
I was looking at this recently.
Pace 429 if wanting a more xc type bike with luggage carrying capability
Pace 529 if you want a bit burlier and slidey dropouts instead of luggage.
Solaris as has been said
Wildcard sonder broken road if you want cheaper and luggage carrying capability..it's a bit conservative on the geometry though
Posted : 11/02/2025 8:49 pm
I'm the same height and run a previous generation SolarisMAX and I really only notice the longer chainstays as a positive as it climbs really nicely without having to be too active moving my weight around. I think as the front triangle is also quite long size for size it balances out pretty well.
Having said that I only bought it because the Sirius S6 wasn't out yet in steel (and was out of stock as the S5 version) otherwise that would have been my perfect frame. So maybe buy that and if you don't like it I'll swap you my SolarisMAX frame 😉
Posted : 12/02/2025 3:19 pm
Topic starter
I'm the same height and run a previous generation SolarisMAX and I really only notice the longer chainstays as a positive as it climbs really nicely without having to be too active moving my weight around. I think as the front triangle is also quite long size for size it balances out pretty well.
Having said that I only bought it because the Sirius S6 wasn't out yet in steel (and was out of stock as the S5 version) otherwise that would have been my perfect frame. So maybe buy that and if you don't like it I'll swap you my SolarisMAX frame 😉
Yeah I guess I'm still thinking of this as my only bike for now, so shorter chainstays would be more fun for the times I go to the local bikepark jump trails. I am kinda planning on getting a DJ bike eventually for that but at the minute I'd like more of a do it all but probably with more of a focus on pedalling/wheels on the ground riding for now. I just don't want anything that feels sluggish and boring/not engaging to ride though!
Posted : 12/02/2025 6:23 pm
Seems like there's not the choice in steel frames that there used to be.
If you're after something less progressive, I'd look at secondhand options anyway.
Stanton Sherpa had quite short chainstays IIRC?
Posted : 13/02/2025 8:27 am
dukeduvet reacted
I have been looking for the same as a replacement for my Genesis High Latitude with its -2 degree headset and 120mm fork. There are frames out there but at a price! The Nordest Britango for me is the best option. The Stanton still has that 21" seat tube for an xl, I would prefer shorter tube and longer dropper as per Pipedream and Nordest. There is the Sour Crumble/Pasta Party but again xl's have long seatpost. Cotic for me has too long chainstays but worth a test ride. I have read the Nordest is quite compliant.
I'm at the point of looking at alloy frames or longer travel steel for a change even full suss. But to be honest I may just keep the Genesis for now.
Posted : 13/02/2025 1:34 pm
Topic starter
Seems like there's not the choice in steel frames that there used to be.
If you're after something less progressive, I'd look at secondhand options anyway.
Stanton Sherpa had quite short chainstays IIRC?
Yeah I'm definitely looking at 2nd hand, not much about at the minute though. A Sherpa or Switch9er would probably do the job if I can't find a used Sirius, not sure what else to look for tbh!
Posted : 13/02/2025 3:34 pm
That Hardtail Party chap liked the Sirius a lot, and he’s on the shorter side. I really like my Moxie, it’s great at pretty much everything, even with a 160mm fork.
FYI Pipedream’s geometry charts are v strange. The Moxie is quoted static with a 140mm fork. The Sirius is sagged (25%) with a 100mm fork - so compared to bikes quoted with 120mm static forks it looks longer, steeper and lower than it really is.
As I’m laid up in bed being ill I’ve worked it out for you. Sirius geometry at 120mm is -2.1 deg on the angles, -22mm reach, +19mm stack, +15mm BB height.
I do think they’ve done a great job with the frame feel on the Moxie, and the sliding dropouts work well for changing chainstay length or singlespeeding.
Posted : 13/02/2025 3:47 pm
On the secondhand front, any big fork 27.5 hardtail will work as a mullet if you use a 29” fork that’s 40mm less travel. Not that I’ve tried a mullet hardtail!
Posted : 13/02/2025 3:54 pm
chakaping reacted
Sonder signal frame. Rrp seems to have gone up three hundred quid or so but should find one second hand at a good price
Posted : 13/02/2025 4:56 pm
Posted : 14/02/2025 11:19 am
Topic starter
The geo on the Malt doesn't look great, super slack seat angle. I think I'll probably just go with the Britango 3 or hope a used Sirius pops up at a good price when I'm in a position to buy!
Posted : 14/02/2025 7:37 pm
It looks like the Britango is £650 once here, vs £800 for the Sirius.
Posted : 14/02/2025 8:10 pm
I had a Sirius and never got on with it, 175cm and went for the middle size (longer?). The stack always felt too low and by the time you've brought the bars to a decent height you realise the reach isn't what it is on paper and combined with the seat angle I didn't like the pedalling position.
Swapped for a Cotic BFE and it's great, comfy pedalling position and personally I'm sold on the longer chainstays, super stable at high speed and still corners well.
Posted : 15/02/2025 10:46 am
The BFE is not downcountry though it's full on Enduro, the Solaris would be the better option
Posted : 15/02/2025 10:50 am
The BFE is Enduro style though, the Solaris would be the better option but the frames are pricey now, although looks grear
Posted : 15/02/2025 10:52 am
I'm not sure this helps as it isn't steel but I've just bought a Banshee Enigma frame and it looks beautifully made. Comes with a headset, seat clamp, spare hanger, chainstay protection and touch up, classy. V short chainstays.
My plan is to run it as a downcountry mullet for long summer rides and bikepacking with fast tyres, then full 27.5 over winter with my coil Helm fork.
They do the Paradox if you prefer full 29'r.
Posted : 15/02/2025 12:58 pm
Topic starter
I'm not sure this helps as it isn't steel but I've just bought a Banshee Enigma frame and it looks beautifully made. Comes with a headset, seat clamp, spare hanger, chainstay protection and touch up, classy. V short chainstays.
My plan is to run it as a downcountry mullet for long summer rides and bikepacking with fast tyres, then full 27.5 over winter with my coil Helm fork.
They do the Paradox if you prefer full 29'r.
I do really like the look of Banshee bikes, do sometimes kinda wish I'd got a Spitfire and kept my smaller wheels! The Enigma looks a lot of fun but probably not as great for pedalling as some other options, I've definitely considered it a few times when I've been looking for a "big BMX" type of thing. Coming to terms with the fact I'm mostly a local xc, wheels on the ground rider these days though so should probably get something more sensible. I quite like the look of the Paradox but again the stack is quite high, about 10mm higher than what I currently have so not sure if it'd give the change I want.
Posted : 15/02/2025 3:54 pm
I've got the Britango 2 and it's a great bike. Handles really well. Very pleased with it.
Posted : 15/02/2025 4:26 pm